“It’s not bad at all.” Emma helped me put on my nightgown, plaited my hair, handed me a book from my luggage, and then left.
I sat on the bed, pounding my fist into the pillow. I had much to accomplish and no way to leave the room. My throbbing ankle was holding me prisoner.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
I was laid up, isolated from the investigation and everyone in the house. Since I couldn’t investigate, I could read with a clear conscience. I’d brought The Ruined Castle by Mrs. Hepplewhite. I loved a good gothic story as much as my customers did.
After a while, I heard noises on that floor of the mansion, telling me the others were dressing for dinner. Now would be the time to post someone on the main floor to see who was sneaking around. If I were trying to get ship drawings out of the country, this would be a good time to meet with my confederates. Everyone else, master and servant, would be busy with their own tasks.
And here I sat, on the bed in my nightgown, unable to walk around freely.
A tentative tap on my door made my heart leap with joy. Someone to question. “Come in.”
My hostess walked in, already dressed in ropes of diamonds and pearls over an expansive bosom. “Has everything been done to make you comfortable?”
“Yes, Lady Harwin. And the room is lovely. Thank you for being so kind.” Actually, “opulent” was a better word for the decor. I wondered if the reds that dominated the wallpaper, rugs, and bed coverings said anything about what she thought of my character.
“Anything for the duke.” She glanced around. “Where is your maid?”
“She’s also Lady Phyllida’s lady’s maid. She’s probably helping her dress for dinner.”
“What an odd custom. Sharing a lady’s maid.”
“We’re two single ladies living together. It suits us.”
Her eyebrows rose. “Both of you single?”
Blast. I’d made a mistake on something Lady Harwin would immediately notice. Widows could have affairs. Single ladies couldn’t. She looked at me suspiciously.
“My husband is dead and I’m without male guidance. Lady Phyllida has never married. We both feel a little adrift, two solitary women.” I smiled at her. “I should have used the word ‘solitary’ rather than ‘single.’”
She looked down her nose at me. “Indeed you should. It gives the wrong impression otherwise.”
“I don’t want to do that. My apologies.” I brought the conversation around to my interests abruptly. “There seem to be a large number of peers living in the area.”
“There are three in the immediate area—us, Tewes, and Knightdale—plus a couple of baronets. Society is always lively when we’ve retired to our country estates.”
“That is fortunate. The countryside must be dull when there’s no one to visit.”
“Indeed. We’re having a ball tomorrow night. I hope you’ll be able to get downstairs by then.”
“So do I, Lady Harwin. I understand that young Mr. Tewes is responsible for my injury. I’d hate to miss your excellent hospitality on account of his youthful foolishness.”
“I don’t believe Lord Charles Wilson, which is his correct address, is the only one at fault in this accident. Running out into the street is a dangerous occupation.” She gave that aristocratic sniff I was growing weary of.
Someone had already told her the circumstances by which I’d received my injury. “The roadway could have been easily crossed if it weren’t for the presence of a young man speeding through town whipping his horses.” The haughty displeasure I showed wasn’t all an act. I had work to do. And the first thing was to learn the guest lists at these house parties. “I feel terrible that I haven’t had the opportunity to meet your other guests. I’m sure all of them are fascinating.”
“Besides the group you came down with, there’s the Bishop of Wellston and his wife; two young ladies who are finishing their first season along with my daughter; the parents of one of the young ladies, Lord and Lady Stewart; and two classmates of my son from Oxford. The Stewarts stopped here on their way back to Scotland, and we’ll be visiting them in September.”
“How lovely.” None of them likely to be after the drawings. But there might be more people in the area who wanted to get their hands on the ship’s blueprints than just von Steubfeld. More people with a secret agenda than just Sir Henry. And my parents’ killer was somewhere nearby.
We nodded to each other and Lady Harwin swept from my bedroom in a rustle of taffeta and lace. I’d just settled back on the bed when I heard another knock. “Come.”
Lady Rosamond Peters opened the door a few inches and smiled at me. “I’m not disturbing you, am I?”
“Not at all. I’d love a diversion.”
She strolled into the room, elegantly attired in green silk and emeralds. “Sir Henry and I were thinking. Since you don’t remember your father’s friend’s name, perhaps we could ask around the neighborhood and see if anyone remembers him or you. What was your maiden name?”
Blast. I didn’t need them messing about in either of my investigations. “It’s really not necessary. It’s not that important.”
“It was important enough that you were injured trying to overtake the man.”
“Through my own stupidity and the carelessness of that driver.”
“Nevertheless, Sir Henry and I will see if we can’t find the man. What was your maiden name?”
I couldn’t tell her Fenchurch. “Smith.”
Her face fell. “Oh, dear. There must be hundreds of officers in India named Smith.”
I smiled. “Yes, it’s quite hopeless. Thank you for thinking of me, though. And thank you for the visit. You look lovely. Enjoy dinner, and tell me all about it later. That way I can attend vicariously.”
“What are you reading?”
“The latest Mrs. Hepplewhite. Gothic, but quite enjoyable.”
“I’ve read two of hers. Now that I know she has something new out, I’ll have to stop by a bookshop when we return to London.”
I wanted to recommend mine but resisted. Keeping both halves of my life separate was necessary for my safety. And I didn’t want thieves, traitors, and spies rendezvousing in my bookshop.
“They’ll send your dinner up on a tray?” Lady Peters asked.
“I expect my maid will bring it shortly.” Along with any news from the servants’ hall. I hoped Emma had found a way to get the staff talking while playing her role.
“You certainly look lovely. Perhaps I’ll have a tray sent up here, too,” said a familiar male voice from the doorway.
Despite the role I was supposed to play as Blackford’s lover, I felt my cheeks heat at his impertinence. “Please do. We could dine à deux.”
Lady Peters laughed a tinkling sound. “That would certainly send tongues to wagging, but it sounds so romantic.”
The duke’s face froze in shock for an instant before he recovered and said, “It does, but I’m afraid duty calls. There’s a matter in the House of Lords that will require Lord Harwin’s vote, whether Parliament manages to meet again this year or has to wait until next. I need to convince him where his priorities lie.”
“I hope by tomorrow evening I’ll be able to join you downstairs. In the meantime, I’ll have to be desolate without you.”
Blackford shot me a look that said Don’t overplay your hand. Then he smiled. “Georgina, dear, I can’t last until tomorrow evening without seeing you. Perhaps I’ll see you sooner rather than later.”
“That would suit me well, Your Grace.”
“There’s no need of a chaperone here, I see.” With an arch smile, Lady Peters curtsied to us and sauntered out of the room.